Grant Deal Holds Up Hardaway

As unsigned point guard Tim Hardaway continues to vent over his status, agent Henry Thomas admitted Monday "there is some legitimacy" to the Heat's delay in re-signing his client.

Because of long-term salary-cap concerns, the Heat first needs to know its sign-and-trade deal for Portland free-agent power forward Brian Grant will be finalized before it can deal with Hardaway. Mark Bartelstein, Grant's agent, said Monday of that deal, "We're hoping something can be resolved by the end of this week."

Only when the Grant deal is completed would the Heat be in position to commit to a multi-year contract to Hardaway.

Amid Hardaway's expressions of disgust at Olympic training camp in Hawaii, Thomas remained hopeful of an amicable resolution.

Thomas spoke with Hardaway before his client left for Maui. Hardaway mentioned Heat adversary Indiana as a potential alternative, with loathed rival New York also now being floated.

Hardaway said a string of injuries no longer should be of concern to Pat Riley and the Heat. "I'm in great physical condition," he said. "I feel good, the best shape I've been in during the summer since my first two years in the league."

While Hardaway has mentioned taking the $2.25 million salary-cap exception from Indiana to spite the Heat, such a threat makes little sense, considering the Pacers intend to play Jalen Rose and Travis Best at point guard and have little future cap flexibility to take care of Hardaway in future seasons.

"I know Timmy's going to be taken care of because there's a certain level of loyalty with our organization," he said. "We take care of our own."

Hardaway, who turns 34 Friday, would be content with a contract similar to four-year, $40 million deal signed two seasons ago by Wizards point guard Rod Strickland, a player of the same age and similar skills but also of far less commitment. Strickland's deal called for $10 million in the first three seasons, with a team buyout available for $5 million in place of the final season. A similar offer has not been discussed with Hardaway, although it is one he would accept.

Causwell close

Bartelstein, who also represents Duane Causwell, said the free-agent center is on the verge of rejoining the Heat.

Causwell received little time last season as the third-string center behind since-traded Otis Thorpe. He opted out of his contract in June as a salary-cap courtesy to the Heat, with the implied understanding he would be taken care of.

No 2001 pick

The Heat likely will go consecutive seasons without a first-round draft pick. The draft pick the Heat will forward to Cleveland in the Grant deal is lottery-protected for the next two seasons, otherwise going to the Cavaliers without restriction in 2003. However, with it highly unlikely the Heat will miss the playoffs this coming season, it will mean the Heat will be without a first-round pick for the third time in four years.

Because teams cannot trade consecutive future first-round picks, it also means the Heat is barred from dealing its 2002 first-round pick until the conclusion of the 2001 draft.